Gang member sentenced to 26 years

BELVIDERE — A 22-year-old man charged with attempted murder was sentenced to 26 years in prison Boone County State’s Attorney Michelle Courier announced today.

Nicholas Martinez of Belvidere was convicted of attempt first-degree murder on July 31 following a jury trial.

The charge stems from Martinez, an admitted Latin King gang member, firing a gun on Feb. 18, 2011, into an occupied vehicle in the 400 block of Wedgewood Lane, off North Appleton Road. Inside the vehicle were a suspected rival gang member, his girlfriend, and their 2-year-old child. Despite at least 5 rounds being shot into the vehicle, no one was struck.

Martinez faced a minimum sentence of 26 years and a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison.